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- Salty Ginger Talk Newsletter
Cleveland Clinic changes policy to require copays at the time of appointment
Our take: The Cleveland Clinic is one of the largest hospitals in the country. It is also a nonprofit.
The clinic is a premier teaching hospital, with medical professionals from all over the world coming to the clinic to be trained in cutting-edge treatments and learn the most up-to-date techniques and information. But soon, if you can’t pay your co-pay at the time of appointment, the clinic may start cancelling appointments.
The clinic says about half of all patients do not make their copays, resulting in a $70 million revenue loss. In 2024, the clinic reported $15.9 billion in revenue, resulting in a $276 million operating income. This is after the clinic gave $260 million in financial assistance to help patients pay bills and another $400 million in charity care.
The Cleveland City Council was not at all happy with the change in policy, correctly noting that Cleveland is one of the poorest large cities in the country, with as many as 43% of Cuyahoga County households struggling with the cost of living. The city called clinic executives on the carpet at a meeting on Monday, saying their new policy could cause lower-income patients to not seek medical treatment when they need it.
The clinic pushed back, saying they were a business, operated on thin margins, and had done a lot in the community already. They also stated that the hospital is put in a position as a middleman between insurance companies and patients, and offered to help the councilmembers change the system to work for everyone.
Here is an idea. How about we set it up like auto, life, or home insurance? They all work just fine. But the big drug companies and medical lobby don’t want to change the system that made them rich. There is a growing conversation about the dysfunction of the system now. Hopefully that groundswell of support can overcome the resistance that has kept things on this bad track for decades.
COURTESY: MSN
New Jersey Congresswoman LaMonica McIver charged with assaulting and resisting law enforcement
Our take: This is a very straightforward situation. It’s literally on video. Congresswoman McIver assaulted law enforcement officers, stating she was providing “oversight” as part of her job. Oversight at a private business contracted by the government. She has no right to physically assault law enforcement officers and then claim victimhood and political persecution because she is held accountable. This is no different than a 2-year-old throwing a tantrum and then being angry because they are being punished. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes. I hope she winds up having to pick up trash on the side of the highway for her punishment.
COURTESY: MSN
Former Navy second in command convicted in corruption case
Our take: Government corruption is as old as government itself. Using positions of power or authority to enrich or benefit oneself is not only morally bankrupt but also illegal. The retired second-highest-ranking admiral in the Navy found that out the hard way.
Admiral Robert Burke was found guilty of steering lucrative government contracts to a private company in exchange for a $500,000 paid position when he retired from the Navy. The trial lasted 5 days.
According to court documents and as the evidence proved at trial, from 2020 to 2022, Burke was a four-star admiral who oversaw U.S. naval operations in Europe, Russia, and most of Africa and commanded thousands of civilian and military personnel.
Yongchul "Charlie" Kim and Meghan Messenger, co-CEOs of a company not named by the DOJ, allegedly participated in the scheme to get a government contract in exchange for offering Burke a position with the company.
The company provided a training program for a small part of the Navy from 2018 to 2019, before their contract was terminated.
It is rare that people with this much power can walk the straight line their entire life. It is a painful lesson, but one that Mr. Burke has learned the hard way…
COURTESY: FOX NEWS
Tip of the Day
Know your weaknesses—whether that's TV, video games, the refrigerator, or social media—and do your work in a space where those won't be constant temptations.
Quote of the Day
“Never let yesterday use up too much of today.” – Will Rogers